Parents alerted to man taking photos of children in Leicester

LEICESTER 
Police are investigating reports that a man cruising neighborhoods in town snapped photos of children in recent days. There were similar reports in Paxton and Worcester.

“We feel we have to notify the public,” Police Chief James Hurley said today.

Police described the vehicle as a black compact car with dark-colored rims and a spoiler on the trunk. Chief Hurley is asking people to call 911 immediately if they see a vehicle matching the description.

He said the occupant or occupants are not wanted by police for any crime, but police would like to speak with the person.

“I feel compelled to issue this alert out of an abundance of caution,” the chief said.

• Police received a report that a vehicle pulled up to a home on Lake View Drive in Leicester and a person inside it took a picture of a home while the homeowner's daughter was playing in the front yard around 5:45 p.m. on May 8.

• A Leicester resident called to report that a person in a small black vehicle was taking pictures of three children playing in the front yard of a home on Park Lane around 5 on Tuesday evening.

• A Paxton resident reported Wednesday morning that someone in a small black vehicle was seen taking pictures of her home last week. There were no children outside playing, but there were a number of toys in the front yard.

• A report came in to Leicester police Wednesday night that a small black vehicle possibly with a spoiler had cruised by a home four times earlier in the day. The home is off Route 56 south of Leicester Center. The vehicle matches the general description but nobody inside it was seen taking photos.

• A resident called police to report that a man in a small black compact car stared at her for a long time just before 8 this morning.